9 Songs

[martino]

i used to have a pretty good opinion of michael winterbottom despite his annoyingly brit name (jeez, i always thought, why not be uncomplicated and call yourself mick coldass if you are going to be ridiculous).

but this movie, this latest movie of his, is an unmitigated catastrophy. '9 Songs' in an odd and disjointed way is about music, sex and antarctica -- which normally would make it a good two outta three on my scale of interest. but winterbottom totally blew it!

you could give him credit for the outstanding selection of bands he shows playing live in brixton (and marky, sit down and hold yourself tight when you read this):

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Von Bondies, Elbow, Primal Scream, The Dandy Warhols, Super Furry Animals, Franz Ferdinand.

however, the concert clips are not even really that good. BRMC in particular are pretty lackluster while i have seen better performances from FF on TV.

but what really makes the movie almost unwatchable is the sex. i can't believe i just wrote that. i have been watching pornography on and off for, like, three decades now but never have i seen a movie where every sex scene made me cringe and hope it would be over quickly.

strangely unappealing actors, a nondescript story, muddy lighting, sterile screwing: is it british porn when you want to close your eyes and think of england?

[mccutcheon]

rule 49 or section 49 or whatever wasn't so good either.

24 hour party people though is the Pax Movie. (along with Trainspotting and its like. Yes Whithnail & I Beautiful girls.

[martino]

so what i hear is that, a good six months later, this movie is now opening in the US. so go out and don't see it, right now.

[mccutcheon]

okay poppi